Daily Culture Brief · October 18th

When Dining Took to the Streets in New York City Penny Hardy photographed the restaurant sheds that cropped up across the city in 2020. Only a fraction of them remain today. When you purchase an independently reviewed book through our site, we earn an affiliate commission. In June 2020, when Covid was surging in New York City and indoor dining was prohibited, the designer Penny Hardy took to the streets.

So, Hailey Bieber was at the Academy Museum Gala, and she looked really pretty in pink. She wore this custom Chanel gown, which was a beautiful shade of pink and had some really nice beaded details around the neckline. It also had a slit in the back, which I always think adds a nice touch.

It's interesting, her husband Justin wasn't with her at the event. He'd actually just posted some photos from a trip to New Zealand, so maybe he was still settling back in. Hailey's been to this gala a few times now, I think this was her third year attending.

You know, she was talking to ELLE a little while back about being seen as a style icon. She said her main thing is just feeling confident and free to experiment with different looks, and that your personal style really shines through when you feel good in what you're wearing. I totally get that.

She also mentioned that her inspirations can come from all over – like art, travel, even food and music. But she did say Kate Moss is always a major icon for her, someone who's just timeless. And she also chatted with Interview magazine about how she and Justin do their red carpet dressing.

Apparently, they don't really "plan" outfits together in a matchy-matchy way. It's more about expressing themselves individually and supporting each other. They do talk about what the other is wearing, of course, to avoid clashing, but day-to-day, she's all about making sure they're comfortable and feel good. That's the most important thing, right?

- Rosé wore a sheer black Saint Laurent dress with a giant bow to the 2026 Academy Museum Gala. - She accessorized with Tiffany & Co. jewelry for her first-ever appearance at the Los Angeles event. - The Blackpink singer is set to perform at the LACMA Art + Film Gala on November 7. After appearing late last month at Saint Laurent’s Paris Fashion Week show, Blackpink’s Rosé stepped out at tonight’s 2026 Academy Museum Gala in Los Angeles, dressed in a sheer Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello dress that featured one of the biggest bows of the night on its bodice.

- Connor Storrie attended the 2026 Academy Museum Gala for the first time. - He wore a black coat and pants with Tiffany & Co. jewelry, including hoop earrings, a brooch, and two rings. - The star has been shooting Heated Rivalry season 2 since August. Heated Rivalry’s Connor Storrie has been shooting the show’s second season—but managed to slip away from set to have a glamorous night out in Los Angeles. The star attended the 2026 Academy Museum Gala, wearing a black Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello look, featuring a tailored coat, high-waisted trousers, and a silk evening blouse.

- Taylor Swift wore a pale blue Dior gown with Chopard jewelry to the 2026 Academy Museum Gala. - It marks her first time at the annual Los Angeles event. - Swift will perform at the ceremony this evening, though her set list has been kept private ahead of the event. Taylor Swift chose a dreamy red carpet look from her wedding dress designer for her Academy Museum Gala debut. The singer channeled Cinderella in a pale blue gown by Dior. She accessorized with Chopard jewelry, including platinum earrings with 32.40 carats of diamonds that complemented the dress’s bejeweled bow.

Hey! So, you know how much we love a good epic battle, right? Well, get ready, because they're making a whole new game focused on those massive Lord of the Rings fights. It's called "The Lord of the Rings: Sieges of Middle-earth," and it's all about those huge, dramatic clashes we've read about and seen.

Think Helm's Deep, the Pelennor Fields, all those moments where it feels like the fate of Middle-earth hangs in the balance. This game is going to let you dive right into those massive sieges, probably controlling armies and making the big strategic calls.

The best part? It's officially coming out in Winter 2026. So, yeah, it's a little ways off, but it gives us plenty of time to get hyped and maybe even re-read the books or re-watch the movies to prepare for some serious Middle-earth warfare.

It sounds like it's going to really capture that feeling of being in the thick of it, with huge armies clashing and the stakes feeling incredibly high. I'm already picturing myself leading the charge!

It's no secret the Pokémon Trading Card Game has a scalping problem. As recently as last month, the 30th Celebration set for the Pokémon TCG was being scalped and resold, and the demand for these cards has strained retailers, especially smaller shops. Because of the increasing problem with scalping, retailers and the Pokémon TCG itself have taken steps to ensure Pokémon cards end up in the hands of players and fans, rather than people trying to make a quick buck.

8 years later, Marvel Studios finally has an answer for what's next for the Guardians of the Galaxy without James Gunn. While the answer is pretty unexpected, it will hopefully be the start of a new era for the MCU's beloved cosmic heroes.

In Lucy van Pelt's words, happiness is a warm puppy, but a close second to this is the right seasonal footwear. When one thinks of winter attire, it's reasonable to picture heavy layers from head to toe, with boots being ideal closer to Christmas and the holiday season. But for Peanuts, comfort is just as valuable with a brand-new pair of Crocs boasting warmth of its own. Decorated with images of Charlie Brown and Snoopy as they frolic in the snow, the new Peanuts Crocs are possibly the most adorable footwear of the season so far.

There are very few relatively young franchises around right now that are doing quite as well as Dungeon Crawler Carl . Since starting as a web series back in 2019, it has gone from strength to strength and garnered millions of fans the world over, all of whom are desperate for new releases that give them a further window into its bonkers world.